War of 1812 Quiz

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Question 1

Which Native American leader created an Indian confederacy and launched an uprising in 1811?

A

Pontiac

B

Tecumseh

C

Geronimo

D

Sitting Bill

Question 1 Explanation:

Tecumseh was a Shawnee war chief who recruited warriors from the Iroquois, Chickamauga, Ojibway, and others tribes. He was killed at the Battle of the Thames in Canada in 1813. Pontiac led a rebellion in the 1700s while Geronimo and Sitting Bull fought in the later 1800s.

Question 2

During the war of 1812, which American naval commander uttered the famous last words “Don’t give up the ship?”

A

Oliver Hazard Perry

B

Stephen Decatur

C

James Lawrence

D

William Bainbridge

Question 2 Explanation:

Lawrence joined the US Navy in 1798 and was in command of the USS Chesapeake when he encountered the British frigate HMS Shannon near Boston in June 1813. Lawrence was mortally wounded during the battle but urged his men to keep fighting. However, the British succeeded in taking the Chesapeake as a prize.

Question 3

Britain was distracted by what other conflict that occurred concurrently during the War of 1812?

A

The Crimean War

B

The Opium Wars

C

The French & Indian War

D

The Napoleonic Wars

Question 3 Explanation:

The British government focused most of its attention on the threat posed by Napoleon. The Crimean and Opium Wars occurred later in the 1800s, while the French and Indian War was an 18th-century conflict.

Question 4

During the War of 1812, which American naval commander destroyed an entire British squadron during the Battle of Lake Erie?

A

Oliver Hazard Perry

B

Stephen Decatur

C

James Lawrence

D

William Bainbridge

Question 4 Explanation:

Perry joined the US Navy as a midshipman in 1799 at the age of 13. He commanded the American squadron during the Battle of Lake Erie. Although his flagship was heavily damaged, Perry transferred his flag to another ship and eventually captured the entire British fleet.

Question 5

Which engagement led to the slaughter of between 30 and 100 wounded American soldiers by Native Americans in 1813?

A

Battle of Frenchtown/River Raisin

B

Siege of Fort Meigs

C

Battle of the Thames

D

Battle of New Orleans

Question 5 Explanation:

On January 18, 1812, American troops forced British and Native American troops to retreat during a battle near present-day Monroe, Michigan. However, the British and their Indian allies counter-attacked four days later and surprised the Americans. More than 500 were captured and several dozen were killed by Indians after they had surrendered.

Question 6

The War of 1812 led to the creation of which of the following patriotic elements?

A

America the Beautiful

B

Yankee Doodle Dandy

C

The Star Spangled Banner

D

God Bless America

Question 6 Explanation:

Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” while watching British ships bombard Fort McHenry near Baltimore in September 1814. It was set to music and was often performed at public events during the 1800s. In 1931, it became the national anthem.

Question 7

Which of the following buildings were burned by British troops when they invaded Washington D.C. in 1814?

A

The White House

B

The Capitol

C

Washington Naval Yard

D

All of the above

Question 7 Explanation:

In August 1814, British troops attacked Washington D.C. in retaliation for the American attack on Port Dover several months earlier. They burned a number of public buildings, but less than a day later a heavy storm extinguished the flames.

Question 8

Which battle helped end the American offensive along the St. Lawrence River in 1813?

A

Battle of Chateauguay

B

Battle of Crysler’s Farm

C

Battle of Plattsburgh

D

A & B

Question 8 Explanation:

At Chateauguay, a British force of 1,600 repelled more than 4,000 Americans. A few weeks later at Crysler's Farm, 900 British troops once again defeated a much larger American force. These humiliating defeats demoralized the American army, which withdrew from Canada.

Question 9

Which battle in 1812 led to the death of British general Isaac Brock but resulted in more than 800 American troops being captured while trying to invade Canada?

A

Battle of Plattsburgh

B

Battle of Queenston Heights

C

Battle of the Thames

D

Battle of Lundy’s Lane

Question 9 Explanation:

The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle in the War of 1812. Brock was killed while leading a charge by the 49th Regiment of Foot. Despite his death, the British defeated the larger American force and captured more than 800 men. However, Brock was an excellent leader and his death was a great loss to the British forces in Canada.

Question 10

Which of the following American commanders during the War of 1812 later ran for president?

A

Winfield Scott

B

William Henry Harrison

C

Andrew Jackson

D

All of the above

Question 10 Explanation:

Scott sought the Whig Party’s nomination in 1840 but William Henry Harrison was nominated instead. Scott won the nomination in 1852 but lost to the Democratic candidate. Harrison won the presidency in 1840 but died shortly after his inauguration. Jackson, a Democrat, ran for president in 1824 but was defeated. He won in 1828 and was re-elected in 1832.

Question 11

The British and their Indian allies used intimidation to force the commander of which American garrison into surrendering in 1812?

A

Fort Detroit

B

Fort Meigs

C

Fort Stephenson

D

Fort Wayne

Question 11 Explanation:

Tecumseh led a contingent of Indian warriors during the British attack on Fort Detroit. He paraded his warriors in front of the garrison in order to make it seem like his force was much larger than it really was. Brock told the American commander, General William Hull, that he was unable to prevent the Indians from committing atrocities. Hull surrendered his garrison of more than 2,000 men even though he outnumbered the attackers.

Question 12

Which engagement in 1814 marked an end to British attempts to invade the United States?

A

Battle of Queenston Heights

B

Battle of Frenchtown/River Raisin

C

Battle of Plattsburgh

D

Battle of the Thames

Question 12 Explanation:

The Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812. On September 11, 1814, an American naval force won a decisive victory against a British fleet. The American victory helped lead to the conclusion of peace negotiations between Britain and the United States later that year.

Question 13

Which engagement in 1814 effectively ended the Creek War?

A

Battle of Tallushatchee

B

Battle of Talladega

C

Battle of Horseshoe Bend

D

Battle of New Orleans

Question 13 Explanation:

Andrew Jackson led an attack on the Red Sticks (a faction of the Creek Indian tribe) who had fortified their village at Horseshoe Bend. An initial artillery bombardment had little effect, but Jackson ordered a bayonet charge. The Americans stormed the village and killed more than 800 Creek warriors during five hours of fighting.

Question 14

Which British warship was the first to ever be captured and brought back to an American harbor during the war of 1812?

A

HMS Guerriere

B

HMS Macedonian

C

HMS Frolic

D

HMS Boxer

Question 14 Explanation:

Built in England in 1809, HMS Macedonian was a 38-gun frigate. In October 1812, Macedonian encountered the 44-gun USS United States. The Macedonian was quickly disabled and was taken to Rhode Island as a prize. She served in the US Navy until 1828.

Question 15

The War of 1812 included naval engagements in which of the following bodies of water?

A

Atlantic Ocean

B

Pacific Ocean

C

The Great Lakes

D

All of the above

Question 15 Explanation:

Oliver Hazard Perry scored a lopsided victory against the British fleet in the Great Lakes. A number of naval actions occurred in the Atlantic. The American frigate Essex harassed British shipping in the Pacific as well, but was captured off the coast of Chile in 1814.

Question 16

Which of the following battles launched Andrew Jackson into a position of national prominence?

A

Battle of Plattsburgh

B

Battle of Queenston Heights

C

Battle of New Orleans

D

Battle of Tippecanoe

Question 16 Explanation:

Jackson commanded a mixture of 4,700 American militia, Native American warriors, and pirates during the Battle of New Orleans. They successfully repulsed an attack by more than 14,000 British troops. Although the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, had already been signed, the battle boosted American pride and made Jackson a national hero.

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